2024-01-05 18:43:07
Check out some of Chicago’s diverse year-round happenings, from colorful cultural celebrations to lively music and food fests. Go to choosechicago.com/events or simply use your phone’s camera and scan the QR code for a complete, up-to-date events calendar. WINTER CHRISTKINDLMARKET November – December Daley Plaza christkindlmarket.com Feel the magic at this annual outdoor bazaar, modeled after traditional German Christmas markets. ZOOLIGHTS November – January Lincoln Park Zoo lpzoo.org/calendar-events This spectacular holiday display, made up of more than two million lights, transforms Chicago’s historic Lincoln Park Zoo into a breathtaking winter wonderland. CHICAGO RESTAURANT WEEK Jan. 19 – Feb. 4 Citywide eatitupchicago.com The best time of year to experience Chicago’s acclaimed dining scene, Chicago Restaurant Week features special prix fixe menus at hundreds of local restaurants. CHICAGO THEATRE WEEK Feb. 8 – 18 Citywide chicagotheatreweek.com Experience the thrill of Chicago’s vibrant theatre scene with discounted tickets to the city’s hottest shows. CHICAGO AUTO SHOW Feb. 10 – 19 McCormick Place chicagoautoshow.com The nation’s largest and longest-running auto show features debut vehicles, concept cars, interactive exhibits, and more. SPRING ST. PATRICK’S DAY March 16 Chicago Riverwalk chicagostpatricksdayparade.org One of the world’s most famous St. Patrick’s Day traditions, Chicago’s downtown parade and green river dyeing are bucket list events. EXPO CHICAGO April 11 – 14 Navy Pier expochicago.com This international exposition of contemporary and modern art brings galleries and artists from around the globe to Navy Pier. MOLE DE MAYO May 24 – 26 Pilsen moledemayo.org Enjoy this classic Mexican dish, alongside art, lucha libre, and live music, at this outdoor cookout in Pilsen. SUEÑOS MUSIC FESTIVAL May 25 – 26 Grant Park suenosmusicfestival.com Chicago’s annual Latin music festival kicks off summer with a two-day experience on the lakefront. CHICAGO GOSPEL MUSIC FESTIVAL May Millennium Park chicagogospelmusicfestival.us Hear everything from traditional choirs to contemporary gospel groups at this free outdoor festival under the stunning Pritzker Pavilion. SUMMER NAVY PIER FIREWORKS May – September Navy Pier navypier.org It’s not summer in Chicago without this dazzling fireworks display lighting up the lakefront. MAXWELL STREET MARKET May – October Desplaines Street chicago.gov A local tradition since 1912, this sprawling alfresco market features a mix of crafts, live music, artists, food vendors, and more. CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL June Millennium Park chicagobluesfestival.us A genre with deep Chicago roots, blues is the star of this outdoor summer festival that attracts some of music’s biggest names. PUERTO RICAN FEST June 6 – 9 Humboldt Park puertoricanfest.com This fun festival features carnival rides, live music, cultural performances, and authentic Puerto Rican food and drinks. MIDSOMMARFEST June Andersonville andersonville.org The Andersonville neighborhood celebrates its Swedish roots and LGBTQ+ pride with live music, drag shows, artisans, and food and drink. HYDE PARK SUMMERFEST June Hyde Park hydeparksummerfest.com This unique summer festival brings together a mix of the best house music DJs and hip hop artists. CHICAGO PRIDE FEST & PARADE June 22 – 23 & June 30 Northalsted chicagopride.gopride.com This joyful celebration of LGBTQ+ community and culture takes place in the nation’s oldest official gay neighborhood. NASCAR CHICAGO STREET RACE WEEKEND July 6 – 7 Loop nascarchicago.com Hear the roar of the engines as NASCAR takes over downtown Chicago for this one-of-a-kind street race. CHOSEN FEW DJS PICNIC July 13 Jackson Park chosenfewdjs.com The world’s longest-running event dedicated to house music brings thousands of fans to Jackson Park. SUNDAYS ON STATE July – September State Street loopchicago.com/events/sundays-on-state This summer event series turns one of Chicago’s most iconic Loop streets into a giant block party, with food, drinks, shopping, art, and more. SUMMERDANCE July – September Citywide chicago.gov Learn some new moves or enjoy the music when this summer event series turns Chicago parks into open-air dance floors. WINDY CITY SMOKEOUT July 11 – 14 United Center windycitysmokeout.com It’s all about beer, barbecue, and country music at this laidback summer festival. WICKER PARK FEST July Wicker Park wickerparkbucktown.com The music lineup is a major draw at this eclectic street fest that draws on the neighborhood’s unique character. FIESTA DEL SOL July Pilsen fiestadelsol.org This family-friendly festival has been celebrating Mexican culture and music in the Pilsen neighborhood for 50 years. CHINATOWN SUMMER FAIR July 27 – 28 Chinatown ccc-foundation.org/summer-fair Immerse yourself in Chinese culture at this annual celebration featuring cuisine, lion dances, kung fu demonstrations, and more. LOLLAPALOOZA Aug. 1 – 4 Grant Park lollapalooza.com This iconic music festival takes over lakefront Grant Park with local talent and top acts from around the world. RIBFEST August North Center ribfest-chicago.com In North Center, this anticipated food festival draws more than 60,000 attendees with the sweet smell of barbecue. CHICAGO AIR AND WATER SHOW August Lakefront chicago.gov This free lakefront display is one of the largest events of its kind, with astonishing aerial demonstrations. BUD BILLIKEN PARADE August Martin Luther King Drive budbillikenparade.org The largest African American parade in the country, this exuberant procession of bands, floats, and student performers has been Navy Pier fireworks taking place since 1929. Scan here for the latest Chicago events calendar. CHICAGO SPORTS February – October CHICAGO FIRE Soldier Field chicago-fire.com Head to lakefront Soldier Field to see a fast-paced match by the Chicago Fire Football Club, winner of the MLS Cup in its very first season. March – October CHICAGO WHITE SOX Guaranteed Rate Field whitesox.com Catch a White Sox game at the team’s modern stadium in Bridgeport and prepare to be awed by the light-up-the-sky home run fireworks. March – October CHICAGO RED STARS SeatGeek Stadium chicagoredstars.com See exciting soccer action in Bridgeview by the acclaimed Red Stars team, a prominent player in the National Women’s Soccer League. April – October CHICAGO CUBS Wrigley Field cubs.com Watch the Chicago Cubs play at historic Wrigley Field, whether you’re in the sunny bleachers or perched on the rooftops with a bird’s-eye view. May – July CHICAGO UNION De La Salle Institute theaudl.com/union The Chicago Union, the city’s professional ultimate disc team, won the AUDL Central Division Championship in 2021 and 2022. May – September CHICAGO SKY Wintrust Arena sky.wnba.com Join in fun Chicago Sky on-court experiences and watch the 2021 WNBA champions compete in the South Loop. September – January CHICAGO BEARS Soldier Field chicagobears.com Get ready to hear the rowdy crowd enthusiastically sing the anthemic Bear Down, Chicago Bears every time the team makes a touchdown. October – April CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS United Center blackhawks.com Arrive early for the pregame skate, and keep an eye out for mascot Tommy Hawk, who wildly dances to Chelsea Dagger every time the Blackhawks score. October – April CHICAGO BULLS United Center bulls.com See the Bulls shoot hoops at the United Center and snap a selfie with the statue of Chicago basketball superstar Michael Jordan. IN THE CITY FAMOUS FOR ARCHITECTURE, THERE’S ONE NAME LEADING THE FIELD For more than five decades, the Chicago Architecture Center has been demonstrating the importance of architecture and design in Chicago and beyond. Whether you’re visiting during Chicago’s lively warmer months, or reveling in the city’s bustling holiday season, there’s a CAC experience for you. GET OUT ON THE WATER April–October Set sail on the Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady. Led by a specially trained CAC docent, this world-renowned, 90-minute cruise has been voted one of the best boat tours in the world by USA Today readers. Each docent brings a unique perspective as they narrate compelling stories behind more than 50 buildings along the Chicago River—as well as their favorite anecdotes. You’ll leave inspired by the city’s wide variety of architectural styles, including Art Deco, Neoclassicism, Mid-Century Modernism and Postmodernism. HIT THE PAVEMENT Year Round With dozens of walking tours exploring architectural themes in downtown Chicago, as well as tours in the city’s mosaic of culturally diverse neighborhoods, walking tours are the heart of the CAC. When the weather is right, nothing can beat stepping out and exploring Chicago’s First Skyscrapers, Frank Lloyd Wright in Oak Park or Must-See Chicago. If the Windy City is really living up to its name while you’re in town, consider a reprise from the elements on a tour indoors of the Merchandise Mart, the Rookery Building or The Old Post Office. DISCOVER THE CENTER OF ARCHITECTURE Year Round Located in the heart of downtown, the Chicago Architecture Center features two floors of thought-provoking special exhibitions, as well as celebrated and engaging permanent installations. Explore the past, present and future of the city’s built environment through the animated and interactive Chicago City Model Experience. Then, head upstairs to check out one of our rotating exhibitions and learn about larger themes in the architecture and design world. However you choose to explore architecture and design in our beautiful city, let the Chicago Architecture Center be your guide! CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE CENTER 111 E. Wacker Drive architecture.org | @chiarchitecture FALL CHICAGO GOURMET Sept. 26 – 29 Millennium Park chicagogourmet.org This elevated food festival features tastings, live cooking demos, and fun competitions with the country’s best chefs. 26TH STREET MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE September Little Village littlevillagechamber.org One of the largest parades in the Midwest, this joyous procession features brightly colored floats, mariachi bands, and folkloric dancing. REELING FILM FESTIVAL September Citywide reelingfilmfest.org The second longest-running film festival of its kind, Reeling brings LGBTQ+ stories to screens around the city. DESTINOS: CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL LATINO THEATER FESTIVAL September – November Citywide clata.org/destinos Discover emerging voices in the local Latino theatre community during this multifaceted festival. BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON Oct. 13 Citywide chicagomarathon.com Runners from around the world gather for this major marathon that travels through 29 different neighborhoods. HISTORIC PULLMAN HOUSE TOUR October Pullman pullmanil.org Step back in time during this long-running house tour, which gives visitors an exclusive look into the historic Pullman neighborhood. OPEN HOUSE CHICAGO October Citywide openhousechicago.org This one-of-a-kind free architecture festival takes you inside the city’s most unique buildings, skyscrapers, and landmarks. ARTS IN THE DARK October State Street artsinthedark.com This whimsical evening parade celebrates Halloween as the artist’s holiday, with creative puppets, floats, and performances. DAY OF THE DEAD XICÁGO October Pilsen nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org The National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen hosts this cultural celebration, alongside an annual exhibit featuring traditional altars. NIGHT OF 1,000 JACK-O’-LANTERNS October Chicago Botanic Garden chicagobotanic.org/halloween Admire hundreds of intricate artist-carved pumpkins, along with live carving demos and seasonal treats. THE WINTRUST MAGNIFICENT MILE LIGHTS FESTIVAL November The Magnificent Mile themagnificentmile.com/lights-festival A beloved tradition, this spectacular holiday event includes a parade and the official lighting of the trees along iconic Michigan Avenue. Keep current on all things Chicago by subscribing to our free newsletter at choosechicago.com/newsletter.
©Chicago. View All Articles.